Chapter 622 - 850 – Zephyr Really Does Care About His Student

"It seems Mr. Zephyr has rather complicated feelings about Arton."

Raki smiled after hearing Zephyr's assessment of him.

Hearing Zephyr speak so objectively about what Arton had done made Raki like him a little more.

No wonder Arton still held a certain amount of respect for Zephyr.

Even after his student had been captured, the man could still remain calm and objectively judge someone's actions. That alone was worthy of respect.

Unfortunately, despite being that kind of man, Zephyr was destined to suffer one setback after another throughout his life.

Still, respect was respect. At the moment, Zephyr was technically on the enemy's side, so Raki certainly wouldn't truly side with him.

As things stood, the only person Raki could genuinely stand behind was Arton.

"Anyway, if you need anything, remember to come find me."

Zephyr waved his hand.

"Hehe, then I'll thank you in advance."

Raki couldn't be bothered to refuse. She simply agreed and prepared to leave.

Now was the time to go buy some gear that could enhance her attacks. If time allowed, she even wanted to try out that gear on Arton afterward.

With that in mind, it was better to leave as soon as possible.

"No need to be so polite. If you really want to thank me, just let me have a look at your ship once it's finished."

"I'm rather curious about a pleasure ship the size of a warship."

"If my boss allows you to visit, of course."

Raki smiled.

"That's fair. It is a business secret, after all."

Zephyr nodded slightly and turned to leave.

He had only stopped to chat because he had happened to meet someone who caught his attention.

Zephyr hadn't planned on saying much in the first place.

But after taking only a few steps, he suddenly froze in place.

"Hmm? Is there something else?"

Kalifa found his sudden reaction strange.

She thought Zephyr might have noticed something unusual about her or Raki, and her nerves immediately tightened.

Raki didn't say anything, but she also gave Zephyr a puzzled look.

"Nothing. I think my eyes were playing tricks on me."

Zephyr patted his forehead. "For a moment, I thought I saw someone who looked like my student."

"But after I blinked, she suddenly disappeared."

"I guess I'm seeing things."

Zephyr sighed. "Maybe I've been thinking about her too much lately. I really should go back and get some proper rest."

A glint flashed through Raki's eyes. "You're right. You should go get some rest."

After saying goodbye to Kalifa and Raki, Zephyr quickened his pace and left.

The direction he headed in was exactly where he had just seen that familiar figure.

Even if his eyes had been playing tricks on him, he still wanted to make sure.

"This man really does care about his student."

Kalifa sighed.

Among the World Government's agents, their instructors certainly weren't this gentle.

For a moment, Kalifa even felt a trace of envy toward Ain, whom she had never truly met.

...

"Was it really just his imagination?"

Raki rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

"Hmm?" Kalifa raised an eyebrow. "You don't think it was?"

Raki nodded slightly. "Yeah..."

A gleam flashed through Kalifa's eyes.

Unlike Zephyr, she knew Ain was actually here.

Could Ain have already arrived in Water 7 and been watching Zephyr just now?

"If that's true, that could be troublesome."

Kalifa pushed up her glasses.

If Zephyr really found Ain, wouldn't that be almost the same as finding Arton?

That would interfere with their plans going forward.

A hint of worry unconsciously appeared in Kalifa's eyes.

"Raki, what should we do now?"

"Hehe, no need to worry. She's not that easy to find."

Raki smiled knowingly.

Kalifa still didn't know enough about the current Ain.

Perhaps the old Ain would have been easily discovered by Zephyr, but that was only the old Ain.

The current Ain had grown far, far stronger while staying by Arton's side.

Raki really couldn't imagine any reason why Zephyr would be able to discover her so easily.

Ain's time magic was no joke.

"Let's go. We'll stick to our original plan and buy some clothes."

"Maybe we'll run into something pleasantly surprising afterward."

Raki gave Kalifa a mysterious smile and led the way.

Kalifa was still somewhat puzzled, but all she could do was follow her.

This time, they didn't run into Zephyr or anyone else who might get in their way.

Before long, the two arrived at the shop where they intended to buy special outfits.

They had barely stepped inside when a very familiar voice came from behind them.

"Raki, and... Miss Kalifa?"

Kalifa spun around in surprise.

Raki, however, remained completely relaxed.

"You... you're Ain?"

After getting a clear look at the person behind them, Kalifa spoke uncertainly.

"That's me."

Ain removed the hood covering her head, revealing a faint smile.

"So the person Mr. Zephyr saw earlier really was you, Ain."

Raki didn't seem surprised in the slightest.

A gleam immediately flashed through Kalifa's eyes.

"Sorry, it really was me. I wanted to take a look at Teacher Zephyr from a distance."

Ain lowered her head apologetically.

She was smart enough to know what would happen if her teacher discovered her right now.

That would bring Arton a great deal of trouble.

If possible, Ain naturally didn't want to cause that kind of trouble for her captain.

"You should be apologizing to someone else, not me. You know who."

Raki shook her head.

"Mm." Ain nodded. "So, could you take me to see him?"

Although Kalifa wasn't Ain's crewmate, this was the first time Ain had met her in the real world.

Still, from the way Kalifa and Raki were talking, Ain could more or less guess that Kalifa probably already knew about Arton's situation.

Or rather, Arton had most likely already agreed to let Kalifa join the Flame Blade Pirates.

...

For every 50 Power Stones → +1 extra chapter.